Mum & Baby

Is your skin fit enough?

Updated:13 Dec 2014 6:27 AM |
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bh's Olivia Mackinnon

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We all know that as you get older it can become more difficult to ensure your body stays in good nick. Your metabolism seems to support you less and less, meaning that as the years go on, you can no longer eat what you want, and have to work harder at the gym to shed those unwanted kilos (that pesky metabolism, never around when we need it most!).

Unfortunately, the same thing happens with your skin. As you get older, your skin-support mechanisms start slowing down, so it’s up to you to help boost your skin’s fitness and ensure you’re doing everything you can to guarantee your skin stays looking healthy and beautiful no matter what your age.

Here are three integral steps to maintaining fit and healthy skin…

Exfoliation

Have you noticed that your complexion doesn’t look as naturally radiant as it once did? This is because as you age, cell turnover is decreased, which means that the dull, dead skin cells take longer to flake off, leaving those radiant, new cells hidden under layers of dull skin. The secret to battling dull skin is exfoliation – by simply adding a gentle exfoliation into your skin care regime (we recommend 2-3 times a week), you’ll help to stimulate your circulation, quicken your cell turnover, and your skin will appear less dull in the process.

Deep pore cleansing

You may think that deep pore cleansing is only essential for teens suffering from breakouts, but believe it or not, we could all benefit from it in our skin regime. In this day and age pollution is unfortunately on the increase, which means that even if you don’t wear a lot of make-up or feel like your skin is ‘clogged up’, environmental grime can still collect on the surface of your skin and in your pores and create an older, more weathered looking complexion. Plus, pores that are full of muck equal pores that become stretched and enlarged, and we know you won’t want that!Incorporating a deep pore cleansing product into your skin care regime (we recommend once a week) helps to rid you’re your pores of the deepest grime and pollution build up, resulting in skin that looks healthier, radiant and more flawless.

Moisturising

As you get older, your skin loses its ability to naturally retain water, making it look sallow and lined and leaving you looking older than you actually are. The key to sporting skin that looks healthy, hydrated and ultimately younger, is to arm yourself with hard-working moisturisers that penetrate deep down below the epidermis (the top layer of the skin) and to use them EVERY SINGLE DAY, morning and night. Look for products with ultra-hydrating ingredients, such as hyaluronic acid, vitamin E, jojoba oil, rosehip oil, shea butter or aloe vera to get the best results for your skin. Incorporating a hydrating eye cream into your regime will also help to ward off wrinkles and make your entire face seem brighter and more youthful.

It’s also important to note that dry skin doesn’t just affect those in their 40s and 50s either. If you compare the skin of a 20-year-old to that of a newborn baby, the difference is incredible, so ensuring your skin is properly moisturised from a young age will prevent creping and prematurely aged skin in later life.

Not sure what your skin concerns are?

While the three steps mentioned above should be included into everyone’s skin regime, there may be other skin concerns that could be affecting the overall health of your skin, such as rosacea, pigmentation or acne. The best way to identify and treat these issues is to seek the assistance of a professional skin care consultant. Dermalogica offer complimentary Face Mapping sessions (which work to identify any underlying skin concerns) at most of its department store counters and salons, so simply consult one of its therapists to find the appropriate treatment products for your skin.

So how many of steps are in your skin regime? Is your skin good enough?

i personally think you can overload your skin i have used a moisturiser since i was 16 i wash my face with dove soap and have done since it came on the market i use a scrub once a week and a face pack once in a blue moon,my skin is fine last summer a beuty technican thought i was between 38-40ish (i am 54) my mum and sisters all look younger than they are too i think genetics play a big part in skin condition.

I use a mask once a week and I exfoliate 3 times a week, but my daily routine is facial wash, toner, and moisturizer every morning and night. I have sensitive skin so I stick to products that are safe for sensitive skin but strong enough to also deal with my oily T-zone!

Cleanse, tone, moisturise, serums, eye creams, exfoliate, am addicted to it all. My skin doesn't seem the greatest to me but i get complimented that i look younger than i am. So i don't know, guess i just need to accept my skin how it is.

I use a daily cleanser to remove the make up and grime off my face. Once a week I put on a pore cleaning mask and use those biore cleansing strips on my nose which always removes those pesky little blackheads effectively

I've always moisturised my skin from about age 15 and when you reach your 40's is when you start to notice that you definitely have to change your creams routine. Then at 50's it changes again. I always do the above and a bit more these days. I have my moisturiser plus a serum I use.
I've always cleansed off my skin of a morning, then toned and moisturised day and night. I exfoliate every 2nd day. I also use all different affordable brands of products but wish I could use Estee Lauder (but price is too high for me).

Very informative. I have a three step routine in the morning and a four step at night as I apply a serum as well as moisturiser at night. Also use a mask once a week. These basics are so important....and consistency with regime appears to be the answer.

Products are a axing but sometimes it is also good to give your skin a break ladies!
I find if my skin is beginning to break out a little I wash it with cediphil and don't apply anything else. This is very hard for me as I work in the industry, how ever it was a tip from a very respected international Beaty Therapist...and it works :)

I recommend using a muslin cloth. I use it to steam my face in the shower and then as a light exfoliation. The effects on my skin are just amazing. I used to do 3 steps in my skincare regime but have been slacking off with the toner lately. Oops. And I also need to use masks frequently for maintenance of all that hard work.